ABSTRACT
Opioids are mu receptor agonists and have been an important part of pain treatment for thousands of years. In order to use these drugs appropriately and successfully in patients, whether to control pain, to treat opiate-induced side effects, or opiate withdrawal syndromes, a solid understanding of the pharmacology of such drugs is crucial. The most recognized full agonist opioids are heroin, morphine, codeine, oxycodone, meperidine, and fentanyl. Phenanthrenes refer to a naturally occurring plant-based compound that includes three or more fused rings. The opioids derived from the opium plant are phenanthrene derivatives, whereas most synthetic opioids are simpler molecules that do not have multiple rings. Methadone acts as a synthetic opioid analgesic similar to morphine in both quality and quantity; however, methadone lasts longer and in oral form, has higher efficacy, and is considered a diphenylheptane. Fentanyl is a strong synthetic phenylpiperdine derivative that exhibits activity as a mu-selective opioid agonist approximately 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. Meperidine is another medication which is a phenylpiperdine. Tramadol is considered a mixed-mechanism opioid drug, as it is a centrally acting analgesic that exerts its effects via binding mu receptors and blocking the reuptake of monoamines. Some of the most common adverse effects shared among all opioids are nausea, vomiting, pruritus, addiction, respiratory depression, constipation, sphincter of Oddi spasm, and miosis (except in the case of meperidine). Chronic opioid usage has also established a relationship to opioid-induced hypogonadism and adrenal suppression. Physicians must be stewards of opioid use and use opioids only when necessary.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Earlier studies have suggested the liberal administration of fluids in favor of reducing the risk of rhabdomyolysis in obese patients, but the results are conflicting. OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed at comparing the effects of liberal and restrictive fluid therapy on renal indices in laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery. METHODS: In a double-blinded randomized clinical trial, 72 candidates of bariatric surgery were randomly assigned into two groups of restrictive and liberal fluid therapy. Indices, including BUN, creatinine, creatine kinase, GFR, and urine output were measured before and 24 hours after the surgery. The clinical trial was registered at IRCT.ir under code IRCT20170109031852N3. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in BUN, creatinine, creatinine kinase, and GFR indices between the two groups of liberal and restrictive fluid therapy both before and 24 hours after surgery (P > 0.05). Intragroup comparisons before and after surgery revealed that BUN decreased in both groups after the surgery (P < 0.05). Also, creatinine and GFR values improved in patients who received a liberal fluid regimen, whereas these indices remained statistically unchanged in the restrictive group before and 24 hours after the surgery (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Two methods of liberal and restrictive fluid therapy have comparable effects on traditional renal functional indices in laparoscopic bariatric surgery. The clinical significance of observed differences in outcomes should be investigated in further studies. The use of early biomarkers of acute kidney injury is warranted.
ABSTRACT
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) was first experienced in 1938 and had been conducting without anesthesia for 30 years. In this study, the most common indication for ECT was mood disorder (major depressive disorder and bipolar I disorder). We introduce a patient with a history of COVID-19 and suicide who required emergency ECT. Electroconvulsive therapy can be life-saving in patients with suicide history or catatonic schizophrenia. Health workers are at the front line of the COVID-19 outbreak control and must follow health instructions. Aerosol-producing procedures such as suction in anesthesia for ECT may facilitate the transmission of infectious diseases such as COVID-19. When performing aerosol-producing procedures during the pandemic of novel coronavirus, every patient should be considered suspicious.
